GREENSBORO, N.C. Having been a part of 10 ties during the regular season, it was only fitting that the Methodist men's soccer team found itself in a 0–0 stalemate after 90 minutes of Saturday night's First Round USA South Tournament matchup. It didn't take the Monarchs long to score in overtime though, with
Lucas Bender directing the ball into the net off a corner kick taken by
Alex Ramson in the 92nd minute of play, allowing Methodist to advance to the semifinals.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Greensboro, 1–0
Records: Methodist 6-3-10, Greensboro 8-6-4
Location: Pride Field; Greensboro, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs out-shot the Pride in the first half, attempting five shots to Greensboro's one. Steven Floyd forced the opposing goalkeeper to make two saves during the half, while Josh Mott forced one save to be made.
- In the second half, Greensboro fired off eight shots at the goal but failed to put any on target. Methodist took six second-half shots, including two on target. A shot by Angel Alarcon in the final minute of regulation missed the left post by less than a foot, leaving the Pride breathing a sigh of relief.
- Greensboro goalkeeper Alvaro Hermosa made two incredible saves in the first minute of overtime as Matthew Manzano and Carson Stretz each took a shot at the goal. The second save led to a corner kick, which Ramson played beautifully into the box. Using his height to his advantage, Bender leaped into the air and headed the ball into the back left corner of the net.
NUMBERS
- Bender's goal marks the defender's first of the season. He hit the crossbar on a shot against Greensboro during the regular season matchup, and this time put the ball in the net. It's Ramson's second assist on the season.
- The Monarchs earned nine corner kicks on the night, making the final one count.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs travel to top-seeded Pfeiffer University on Wednesday, Nov. 5 for the semifinal round of the USA South Tournament.
